Clapping For Movies – The Ultimate in Theatrical Stupidity
Even after reading Jason’s so-so Quantum of Solace Review I had to go and see it. I agree with pretty much everything posted in both the review and the comments, and like everyone else thought it was worth seeing, but certainly not the greatest Bond film.
I’m not here to talk about the movie, I’m here to talk about the horrendous act that occurred following it. At the conclusion of this film, like many films before it, the audience began to applaud. This is absolutely unacceptable and should not be tolerated by society.
I have nothing against applause, when people are showing their approval or appreciation for a performance. Be it a speech, presentation, play, musical, or even simply to recognize someone’s outstanding behavior. What I have a problem with is the fact that when you go see a movie the performers aren’t present, they’re more than likely 1,000′s of miles away, completely unaware of your applause or even your existence.
Are these people applauding for the screen? Which did such an amazing job remaining on the wall for the entire movie? Perhaps they’re applauding for the projectionist who did such an exemplary job, even though chances are she was doing her homework the whole time, was up there making out with the popcorn guy (or girl), or just plain fell asleep two hours ago? There is nobody there, don’t applaud! Just walk out of the theatre and start looking for the people who didn’t understand the movie, or sit in your seat and awkwardly watch the credits.
In summary: only applaud when the performer is actually present to experience the appreciation you’re expressing.
Un Saludo,
Juan Luis
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I’ve actually seen them do it too and all I can say is, Morons! They have probably never seen a live performance and figured that it was the only chance they would get at clapping at anything.
Sire’s last blog post..What Type Of Commentator Do You Aspire To Be?
November 20th, 2008 at 11:22 pm -
Um, wtf? People were actually applauding? I think you get stabbed if you do that in the UK, lol!
What a ridiculous notion – its like people shouting at the TV; they can’t hear you, and don’t care that you know the answer to the question (which they then get wrong).
Dan’s last blog post..Saturday News Update
November 24th, 2008 at 7:00 am -
Just so I know how to act in case I am ever in the same cinema as you, is it OK to laugh out loud, because I have been know to get carried away by some comedies?
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November 24th, 2008 at 7:46 am -
@Dan – Yep, people were actually applauding. This was not a unique occurance really, I’ve seen it happen before (I’m sorry to say)
@Sire – Laughing is perfectly acceptable, in most cases it’s an involuntary reflex, and doesn’t depend on performers actually being present.
November 24th, 2008 at 11:58 am -
When I was a kid people used to clap at the end of the movie all the time. Now I only see it happen when people really loved the movie – maybe something like Return of the King.
On an unrelated note I’m trying to come up with a snarky domain name. Yours is great.
Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development’s last blog post..(Anti) Social-Lists 11/23/08
November 24th, 2008 at 2:46 pm -
The thing is that when I laugh it shakes the foundations. My daughter usually tried to hide under the seats when it happens.
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November 24th, 2008 at 4:20 pm -
I almost pissed myself laughing so hard! BRAVO! Amazing post!
Josh’s last blog post..Work, work, work, SPAM, work…
November 25th, 2008 at 5:56 pm -
Dan- I’m surprised nobody does this in the UK, they must be smarter than the people I attend movies with…maybe I should move, then I would have less to bitch about
Sire- Normally I’d agree with Jason, but if your laughter is such a fright, you may want to stick to watching movies in the comfort of your own home
Kim- I’m glad to hear that you feel it’s becoming a less common occurrence, hopefully “movie clapping” will die out soon of either natural or my self-induced causes. Thank you for the compliment on the domain name…rumor has it the name was actually discovered by accident
Josh- Thanks for the compliment amigo, it always makes me feel good when I’m not the only one who thinks I’m funny
Juan Luis
Juan Luis Gutierrez’s last blog post..How To: Properly Exit An Airplane Seat
November 25th, 2008 at 7:16 pm -
And miss out on seeing my daughter trying to disappear into the seat? Now way in the world.
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November 25th, 2008 at 10:31 pm -
I still find certain members of the audience clapping after a movie. I could see if it was a premiere and the director was present but otherwise its pointless. But applause after a movie doesn’t annoy me nearly as much as not being able to walk at a normal pace out of the theater. The rest of the crowd shuffles around like they didn’t just finish in a 2 hour movie but instead were just released from cryostasis.
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November 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm -
I’ve been to movies where people have applauded at the end and I feel the same way. It might have been a great movie, but yeah, the people who you are applauding for aren’t there so what’s the point?
I’ve also experienced people applauding once a plane has landed. The first time was after a flight that had a lot of really bad turbulence, so it seemed appropriate, but the other time or two it happened after short normal flights and I thought it was strange.
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November 27th, 2008 at 11:37 pm -
@ Jim-
That’s a great point about the “slow walkers”. Jerry Seinfeld did a bit about them at the end of an episode of his show. He talked about people walking slowly, and then asking each other stupid questions about the movie, followed by moments of epiphany as they all of a sudden understand the whole plot. I’ll see if I can find it.As for me, I bolt out of the theatre as fast as I can so that I can 1) empty my bladder and 2) beat the rush out of the parking lot.
@Tricia-
That’s another good point, I forgot all about plane clapping. I agree that on a few flights it seemed like death may have been imminent, so the applause was well deserved (since the flight crew was obviously present). However, as you mentioned, I have also seen people clap for a run of the mill landing. One person starts clapping, and it spreads like a wildfire throughout the cabin; which is an interesting phenomenon in and of itself: Why do people clap contagiously?@Jim & Tricia-
Maybe you should sign up and write a post on your points above, LTMB is now open to new contributors and it certainly seems like you have what it takes. I know Jeremy will be posting an announcement to that effect soon, but wanted to personally encourage both of you since you made excellent, very humorous points. November 28th, 2008 at 2:32 pm -
Hi Jason,
Those are my first two orders of a business after a movie too.
I’d definitely be interested in contributing to LTMB. I’ll look for Jeremy’s post. Thanks.
Jim
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November 28th, 2008 at 6:31 pm -
What if they’re simply clapping for the movie, letting people know they enjoyed it by 20 seconds of clapping. I think they’re are far more annoying things that happen at movies than clapping. You should come up with a different theory.
December 19th, 2009 at 4:52 pm -
[...] replicated He’s Just Not That Into You, but it never came together. I also hate when people clap or cheer at the end of movies, and people clapped AND cheered DURING this movie, specifically whenever Bradley Cooper, Taylor [...]
February 13th, 2010 at 1:50 pm -
after watching an episode of “how i met you’re mother” I saw people in it clapping after a movie in the cinema. I was utterly baffled and so when it finished I “google’d” it finding this blog. I can’t believe this actually happens, its really bizarre!
This blog post is hilarious yet so right.
ps. I’m from the UK and have never experienced audiences clapping in a cinema
May 18th, 2010 at 1:05 am -
I think you may have over-exaggerated the act. People don’t clap for the “screen”; they clap because they’re so consumed by the plot. It’s a way of enjoying the whole event together as an audience – people do it to make the experience different and special.
Perhaps reading “Leaving the Movie Theater” by Roland Barthes, you’d understand more of what the act symbolizes – literally and psychologically – to members of the audience.
October 6th, 2011 at 5:47 am
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